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Vol. 2007 Issue 03 ~ March

I have turned into one of those women.  One of those working mothers.  The
kind I used to judge, to be really honest.  The kind that were too tired or
didn't have enough time to attend women's ministry events that I had spent
so much time putting together.  I am her.  I have worked part-time at my
church since my son started kindergarten....he's in third grade now.  I have
worked on two books and built up my speaking ministry during those past few
years as well.  So you'd think I'd be used to this pace.  But it hasn't been
until this past month, when my job took on a slightly different tone, that
I've felt like one of those crazed women.

And I find myself struggling with doing it all.  Every night I'm preparing a
crock pot meal and I'm packing lunches and I'm figuring out what the kids
and I will wear the next day.  And every morning I get up before it's even
light out and I exercise, eat breakfast, get ready, and have a quiet time
with a cup of green tea.  And then I hit the ground running as soon as I
drop my kids off at school and pretty much stay on the go until I pick them
up.  Then we struggle through the homework hour, sit down for dinner and I
start the whole thing over again.  And you know what?  I'm really tired.
But my struggle lies in this - I am not doing a ridiculous number of
extra-curricular activities.  I am not a woman without boundaries, who
hesitates saying no.  So I have little to nothing to take out of my life
that isn't pretty much a necessity.

I keep thinking that God has given me all the time, energy, and talents to
get done everything he wants me to get done in my lifetime, in each day
even.  And that I don't have to do anything more than what he wants me to
do.  But I can't imagine that this crazy pace is the peaceful, rest-filled,
joy-filled life he had in mind for me.  There's no way.

So, moms, I'm coming to you this month not with answers or advice or even
all that poignant a thought.  I'm coming to you FOR advice.  I've been
praying for wisdom.  I've been relentless with letting go of my expectations
to be the woman who can "do it all".  I've asked my husband for help.  Did I
mention that I'm praying?  And now, I'd love to hear from you.  If you work
outside the home and juggle home, marriage, parenting and friendships as
well - please tell me your secrets at info@elisabethcorcoran.com...share
your wisdom with me...what do you let go of?, what do you ask for help
about?, what kind of pep talk do you give yourself?, what kind of prayers do
you pray?  And maybe next month, I'll pass along all your tips!  Until then,
I'm going to take a nap...

* Elisabeth K. Corcoran, 2007

Submitted on : 1-Mar-2007